
ST Education Forum 2025: Singapore’s role in the projected growth of Southeast Asia
Published onAt the Straits Times Education Forum 2025, hosted in partnership with SMU, thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts explored pressing issues such as talent development, economic opportunities, and regional collaboration. Discover key insights on how businesses, governments, and individuals can navigate ASEAN’s evolving landscape.

In a post-pandemic world, accounting research has proven essential to helping businesses navigate uncertain times and build a stronger future. During an unprecedented era such as this, researchers lead the charge in understanding how Covid-19 has changed how we do business and what the new normal will look like.

As digital technology continues to transform the world, it is clear that the traditional model of accounting education needs to change.

In 2021, SMU welcomed its largest cohort of early-stage start-ups into its Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) Business Innovations Generator (BIG) programme.
![SMU President Professor Lily Kong. [Photo: Ray Chua] SMU President Professor Lily Kong. [Photo: Ray Chua]](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/AT%2520DSC07447_1_20201210_WEBRES.jpg?itok=pp-Ihecb)
International Women's Day, on 8 March 2022, was a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women around the world and reflect on the work that still needs to be done. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.
![SMU ensured undergraduates continued to have access to global exposure during the pandemic. [Photo: Klaus Vedfelt, Getty Images] SMU ensured undergraduates continued to have access to global exposure during the pandemic. [Photo: Klaus Vedfelt, Getty Images]](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/AT%2520GettyImages-1084119002%2520Photo%2520Klaus%2520Vedfelt%2520-%2520Getty%2520Images.jpg?itok=7_iZphDu)
The importance of global exposure for future leaders has never been more pressing. The world is changing at a breakneck pace, and an overseas experience during tertiary education helps broaden our view of what's happening elsewhere in this wide-open universe we call home.

There is no silver bullet for propelling global development, resilience and advancement. Still, a circular economy plays a critical role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss — all while tackling social needs as we journey together towards a green recovery.
![Two SMU Case Studies were recognised at the inaugural Financial Times’ Responsible Business Education Awards. [Photo: Leo Patrizi, Getty Images] Two SMU Case Studies were recognised at the inaugural Financial Times’ Responsible Business Education Awards. [Photo: Leo Patrizi, Getty Images]](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/AT%2520-%2520Engage%252023%2520-%2520CWI.jpg?itok=YMptlncd)
With the rise of sustainability and social impact as key priorities in the global economy, there is an urgent need for business educators to reflect these goals in their teaching. The Financial Times has created a new award to recognise business schools making significant contributions to transforming global practices.
![(L-R) Mr Zakir Hussain, ST’s Singapore Editor; SMU President Prof Lily Kong; Education Minister Chan Chun Sing; and Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General Mr Andreas Schleicher. [Photo: The Straits Times, SPH] (L-R) Mr Zakir Hussain, ST’s Singapore Editor; SMU President Prof Lily Kong; Education Minister Chan Chun Sing; and Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General Mr Andreas Schleicher. [Photo: The Straits Times, SPH]](/sites/engage.smu.edu.sg/files/styles/medium_16x9/public/articles/AT%2520Engage%2520ST%2520Ed%2520Forum_3.jpg?itok=HQI86Tgf)
The university sector across the globe often comes under attack for offering out-of-date programmes that lack relevance to the needs of industry. But SMU is keeping a step ahead thanks to its key partnerships with industry, according to the Straits Times Education Forum held in partnership with SMU on 10 February. The forum, held online and in person, explored the evolving role of universities in Singapore and beyond.

SMU has been awarded full re-accreditation for five years by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP), Inc.

Founded on 12 January 2000, SMU has since been at the forefront of higher education as a purveyor of transformative learning and leading-edge research. The University's mission is to equip students with broad-based expertise, and nurture creative and entrepreneurial leaders ready to face real-life challenges in the knowledge-based economy of tomorrow.